Wednesday 29 June 2016

Are British people Eurosceptic?

Following the Brexit vote.

The Guardian reported on family arguments concerning in or out voting decisions.


Indeed commentators have reported a generational pattern in voting.  BBC analysis showed 73% of 18-24 year olds voted remain compared to 40% of over 65.
while the
FT blog showed that areas with a younger population typically had a lower turnout which might explain the out victory.


The Pew Research Center Global Attitudes  2016 survey of  citizens in European nations
found that in most European nations young people had a more favourable view of the EU than older citizens,  but in many cases nations as a whole were experiencing a sharp dip in public support for EU membership amongst their citizens


Questions regarding British attitudes towards European are not new.

In 2008 Charles Grant,  Center for European Reform,  published an article entitled: Why is Britain Eurosceptic? which gave 4 answers . Download the text to see what they were!

European Sources Online has a great guide to historic key sources on Euroscepticism. This was  produced in 2015and highlights key documents and organisations taken from its resources . You can also keep up to date on the latest news and links to official EU and commentator documents by searching the main website

Key resources for tracing historic trends of British towards Europe can be found in the Eurobarometer public opinion polls conducted by the European Commission.The standard polls regularly measure levels of trust in the EU and perceptions of EU image. Data is available for individual nations allowing long term tracing of trends.

Eurobarometer levels of trust image of EU in European nations.
The most recent standard barometer was issued in  November 2015 and makes interesting reading as it shows a majority of British people interviewed thought Britain would be better outside the EU.
Older materials can be accessed via UK data Archive from 1974 onwards. The Data Archive blog has also produced an excellent on other key datasets which it can make available to researchers. 

Monday 27 June 2016

EU referendum reactions

David Cameron's speech on the outcome of the referendum
Chancellor statement 27th June 
Bank of England Statement 24th June 
Financial conduct Authority - 24th June

Out and down: Mapping the impact of Brexit EIU report 


House of Commons Library papers on aspects of the vote.
Brexit how did the UK vote? (blog posting)
Brexit: what happens next?
Tax after the EU referendum
Reading list on UK-EU relations 2013-16: reform, renegotiation, withdrawal
Pensions after the EU referendum
Financial services after the referendum

Political responses.
Mayor of London 
Jeremy Corbyn Labour - statement on Twitter. 
Tim Farron - Liberal Democrats
Green Party
SNP Nicola Sturgeon reaction
Plaid Cymru
UKIP
Sinn Fein  second 
statement on Ireland referendum 
Ulster Unionists 
Donald Trump 
London Councils
European Commission 
European Parliament reaction.look on the right for press releases from individual groups.


Reactions
CBI
Institute of Directors. 
Federation of Small Businesses 
London Stock Exchange 
Rolls Royce 
Siemens

British Bankers Association
Church of England
Russell Group of Universities
British Association of Social Workers. 
CIPD - HR organisation
Five big issues for the NHS - Kings Fund 

Ratings agencies
Moodys
Fitch
S&P




trade unions.
TUC 
Working people must not pay the price for the vote to Leave: a national action plan to
protect the economy, jobs and workers’ rights
Unison 
General Medical Council

Tuesday 7 June 2016

Switzerland rejects basic income referendum- Use these resources to find out more!

This week Swiss voters rejected the introduction of a universal basic income in a referendum.
Use these resources to find out more!
The Guardian has reported that a number of other European nations are ready to undertake similar schemes

For official information on the referendum see documents from the Swiss government website. 
and the results.
Swiss Info (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation) also has official results.


Organising support for the minimum wage in Switzerland include: Grundeinkommen
An English language Basic Income site  also has many materials relating to the campaign in favour.
These include audiovisual and leaflets.
Other backers included RBI 
The Government did not support the measure and reports were issued which showed a possible negative impact.

The Basic Income Network site has Europe wide news and materials relating to the theme.  It also includes reports and analysis of why the Swiss vote failed.

For discussion of why many commentators consider a minimum income as necessary look at this World Bank data on purchasing power of consumers in different nations worldwide.